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Legislation Communiqué #1 − June 2011 Legislation Communiqué #2 - November 2011 Legislation Communiqué #2 - November 2011Rita Hengen, Provincial CWL Legislation Chairperson Hello everyone. What an interesting committee this is! The challenge for me is sifting out what is most important from the reams of information available. The Action Plan for Resolution 2011.04 Caffeine in Energy Drinks outlined in The Canadian League, Fall 2011, p. 19, encourages members to write letters to government officials asking them to legislate stricter regulations regarding energy drinks. A Health Canada expert panel comprised of specialists in cardiology, pediatrics, pharmacology and kinesiology consulted with other experts concerning energy drinks. In a November 2010 report, they concluded that energy drinks (Red Bull, Rockstar and Monster) should be called “stimulant drug containing drinks” and that they should be sold under the supervision of a pharmacist, thereby communicating to the general public that, even though they are stocked alongside sports drinks, juices and pop, energy drinks are not food. The panel also concluded that “ ‘energy drinks’ is a marketing term and should not be used” (Leader Post Health panel takes aim at energy drinks, September 21, 2011, p.B7) and that warning labels indicating possible health risks should be stated on the can. The Canadian Beverage Association opposed the panel’s recommendations. On October 6, 2011, Federal Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq advised that the expert panel’s recommendations have been rejected. Her statement regarding the government’s plan to deal with concerns about energy drinks states, “It is a balanced plan that will put the health of Canadians first while respecting an individual’s ability to make their own choice.” (Leader Post Energy drinks not drugs, p.A11.) I am looking forward to receiving Hon. Leona Aglukkaq’s response to my letter asking just how the government is going to achieve this “balanced plan.” Her address is: The Hon. Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, House of Commons, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6. ( postage not required). Bill C-304 – an act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act (CHRA) was introduced in the House of Commons by MP Brian Storseth on September 30, 2011. This bill would eliminate Section 13 from the CHRA. Remember Resolution 2009.03 Hate Messages? The resolution urges “the federal government to 2) repeal Section 13 of the Canadian Human Rights Act entitled Hate Messages.” (The Canadian League, Fall 2009, p.19.) An article in the October 12, 2011 Prairie Messenger Amendment needed in human rights act (p.3) quotes Calgary Bishop Fred Henry… “To hurt someone’s feelings doesn’t constitute discrimination, nor hatred. Yet it exposes religious leaders to human rights actions for expressing firmly held views on moral issues, causes publishers to be hauled before the kangaroo court of a tribunal hearing for printing a cartoon, and censors comedians for making remarks that might offend somebody’s sensibilities.” In 2005 Bishop Henry wrote a pastoral letter defending traditional marriage and had complaints that were eventually dismissed, filed against him. The House Justice Committee investigated Section 13 of the CHRA after Mr. Storseth filed a motion in the last Parliament. He believes he has support to pass the bill, nevertheless, he is soliciting public support. The Action Plan of resolution 2009.03 is two-fold, the latter part asking members to write letters to the Prime Minister, Federal Minister of Justice, Mr. Rob Nicholson and your local MP urging the repeal of Section 13 of the CHRA. The Letter Writing Guide that CWL provides is an excellent resource that details how to address the various ministers, etc. when writing letters. Please make sure you have one in your council. According to a brief Maclean’s article (October 17, 2011, p.35), Pat Martin MP, is suggesting that “A bill to label chrysotile asbestos as hazardous … has a chance of passing,” should it be reintroduced. In a lengthy reply to my letter to Minister of Natural Resources, Joe Oliver, he states “through the enforcement of appropriate regulations to vigorously control exposure to chrysotile, the health risks associated with processes and products can be reduced to an acceptable level.” My response asks just how the federal government monitors the safe use of asbestos in third world countries. Bill C-4 Preventing Human Smugglers from Abusing Canada’s Immigration System Act is being debated by the Opposition. Similarly, the anti-human smuggling bill introduced last October was criticized by the CCCB Justice and Peace Commission. Reasons include: it “fails to achieve its stated principles of cracking down on human smugglers and instead targets legitimate refugees,” (MP Francis Scarpaleggia), is “directed almost solely at refugee claimants who arrive in Canada utilizing whatever means at their disposal,” (MP Don Davies), “Although nations have a legitimate right to counter human smugglers because of grave abuses, notably human trafficking, they also have a duty to take measures that respect the right of refugees.” (Archbishop Brendan O’Brien). (Quotes taken from an article written by Deborah Gyapong, Opposition attempts to block human smuggling Bill C-4, Prairie Messenger, October 5, 2011, p.3). Stay posted! On another note, MP Joy Smith, is planning on introducing five pieces of legislation in an effort to stop human trafficking in all its forms. Included in the legislation is a change in prostitution laws that would punish men who buy sex, particularly from underage females. In 2010, her private member’s bill, Bill 268 An Act to amend the Criminal Code which provides for mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking children under 18, became law. This issue is ongoing. Please keep your council informed. Omnibus Bill C-10, also known as the Safe Streets and Communities Act, has had its Second Reading as of September 2011, and has been referred to Committee in the House of Commons. A public letter composed by the Association of Religious of Manitoba (representing almost 500 Catholic religious sisters, brothers and priests), appeared in the October 26, 2011 Prairie Messenger. The letter voices many concerns with the proposed legislation and urges Justice Minister Rob Nicholson to reconsider aspects of the bill. CWL members should be encouraged by four autism-related bills being considered. (Resolution 2004.08 Treatment of Autistic Persons)
As I write this communiqué, the Saskatchewan provincial election is looming on the horizon. Voting is a privilege and a duty. I do hope members cast their ballots. Also, please remember to ask for religious-themed Christmas Postage Stamps (Resolution 2005.01). We urged Canada Post to reinstate Nativity-related stamps, so let’s continue our support! As mentioned before, Google Legisinfo on the Internet and you can find all the information on the federal government that you need and then some. For provincial information, go to www.gov.sk.ca God bless! Legislation Communiqué # 1 - June 2011Rita Hengen, Provincial CWL Legislation Chairperson Greetings! I went to the Saskatchewan Provincial Convention as a member without an executive position on any level at the present time and came home with a box overflowing with the work of previous legislation chairpersons, having accepted the legislation chair. God works in mysterious ways! I am a charter CWL member at St. Martin de Porres (St. Martin’s) Parish in Regina. Over the years I have held many executive positions, including president at the parish level and 2 two-year committee chairperson terms at the diocesan level. Presently I am chairperson of St. Martin’s parish council. We are in the midst of planning for our parish 50th anniversary in 2012. My husband Dave and I celebrated our 50th anniversary in July 2010 and were blessed to have, for the first time ever, our four children/spouses and nine grandchildren ages 4 – 23 all together. In my past life I was a stay-at-home mom and then a part-time teacher-librarian in the Regina Catholic School System. Dave and I lived in Saskatoon for 4 ½ years. It was there that I met our provincial president Tillie Aessie, as we were both involved in RCIA at St. Anne’s Parish. One of my passions is gardening – “playing in the dirt” I call it. I also enjoy crocheting, knitting, cooking, baking, reading and attending any events that involve children and grandchildren. I am slowly going through the information contained in this overflowing box. There is much to learn and digest. I ask for your patience, prayers and input as together we focus on the mandate of the Legislation Standing Committee as stated in the Leading the League manual. “Legislation is social justice in action. It is the carrying out of League resolutions to influence government policy.” (p.33) My newspaper clipping file is growing daily. An article in the June 17th, 2011 Leader Post indicated that the human smuggling legislation has been reintroduced by the federal government. The League has been very active on this human smuggling issue, passing Resolution 2008.01 Preventing Human Trafficking at the 2010 Olympics and Resolution 2009.02 Protection and Support Services for Foreign Victims of Human Smuggling. Encourage councils to monitor this legislation. 2010.01 Chrysotile Asbestos The 4 day United Nations’ Rotterham Convention with delegates from more than 100 countries began on Monday, June 21st. An article in the June 18th, 2011 Leader Post (p. F10) stated that the federal government was still “preparing its positions” regarding the labeling of Chrysotile asbestos as a hazardous material under the United Nations’ Rotterham Convention. A brief follow-up article in the June 25th, 2011 Leader Post (Reuters, p. A10) reads, “Chrysotile asbestos will not be listed as a hazardous industrial chemical that can be banned from import after countries including Canada and Ukraine blocked consensus…” The action plan for the Chrysotile Asbestos Resolution urges us to write letters to our elected government officials, expressing our concern about this issue. Please refer to page 18 in the 2010 Fall issue of The Canadian League for more information. My plan is to follow up on this recent development. Internet addresses you might be interested in checking out: Legisinfo Canada Day is almost upon us. I hope you all have a restful summer and that you will be filled with renewed energy and enthusiasm as we continue our work for God and Canada. God bless. |